Southern California Coastal & Inland Valleys

June, 2014
Regional Report

Put in Transplants

June is the last month for getting transplants established before our summer burn. Choose transplants that aren't rootbound. Confined roots can't spread out fast enough to absorb enough moisture and nutrients to survive summer heat, so they often wilt or die. Gently loosen the rootballs of transplants before planting them so roots can quickly reach out into surrounding soil to establish themselves. If roots circle the bottom of the pot, cut them off so they'll grow straight out into the soil.

Plant Successive Crops

When replanting areas where you've just grown vegetables, follow heavy-feeding leafy vegetables like spinach and cabbage with nitrogen-replenishing legumes such as peas, beans, and soybeans; or plant a less-demanding root crop. Don't fertilize the soil again before succession plantings of beans or carrots, since excess nitrogen results in forked and hairy carrots and lush bean plants with few beans.

Foil Snails and Slugs

Protect vining vegetables from snails and slugs by lifting the fruits up onto cans, berry baskets, or boards. Also, spread crushed eggshells under each plant because the snails and slugs will avoid the sharp particles.

Look for Female Squash Blossoms

If your first squash blossoms don't set fruit, don't worry. They're probably just male blossoms. Once the female blossoms (the ones with the miniature squash at the base of the flowers) start appearing along with the male flowers -- and bees are present to pollinate them -- fruit set should take place.